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Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Draco
Origin:
In most western mythology, Draco has been associated with the dragon
although the constellation is drawn as a snake rather than a dragon on
ancient maps. In Egyptian mythology, Draco was drawn as an
alligator. Most dragon lore probably originates with the Chaldean
dragon Tiamat, a primeval monster of darkness and the sea serpent who
existed even before the sea and sky had been divided. Legends of
dragons are found in virtually every culture.
Information:
Draco is a very large northern summer constellation. The
constellation completely surrounds the head of the little bear, Ursa Minor and meanders between Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, passing Boötes, Cepheus, Cygnus, Lyra, and Hercules as it winds its twisted and knotted body
through the sky. The head of the dragon is easy to find just north
of Hercules' feet and not far from the bright star Vega in Lyra.
Much of Draco is circumpolar for observers north of 30° N
lat.
Thuban, a diminutive star in the body
of Draco (despite being labeled a-Dra), was the pole star at the time the Egyptian Pyramids
were built (3000 BC). Small tunnels were built into the pyramids
which allowed Thuban to be seen at all times. The 26,000 year
precession of the Earth's axis has moved Thuban away from the pole and
placed Polaris (Ursa Minor) at the celestial pole.
Mythology:
One myth tells that during the ten year battle
of the gods with the evil Titans, one the Titans hurled a fierce dragon at
Athena. Fearing nothing because of her great strength and magic shield,
she caught the dragon and threw into the heavens. Up he soared, twisting
and coiling so that his long body became tied in knots. The knotted,
battered, and twisted Draco came to rest in the northern sky, winding its
way between the bears Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
In another myth, Draco guarded the
golden apples of the garden of the Hesperides. In his eleventh
labor, Hercules killed the dragon and took the
golden apples. |
